AMHERST, N.S. — Joel Henderson, a candidate for the Cumberland-Colchester Liberal nomination, says he will work to save the Col. James Layton Ralston Armoury in Amherst if he become the riding’s MP.
"The Col. James Layton Ralston Armoury is a unique building, and is very important to the Amherst community," Henderson said in a news release. "It is unfortunate how the Department of National Defense has let it languish. We need a community-driven plan to save it."
Henderson said he would meet with the existing committee which is searching for a solution, and propose a whole-community approach, and suggests the strategy should be "Go big, or go home."
His strategy would have the committee consider the needs of multiple groups with their own buildings, including the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regimental Museum, the curling cub, the legion and the library, as well as community groups
He’d like to identify and preserve the physical, architectural and historical features of the armoury that are most appreciated, ignite excitement in the community with a public design competition to create an ambitious redevelopment of the site while rationalizing the physical footprint of these organizations.
"The building means so much to the community, to the North Nova Highlanders Museum, and it would be a shame to lose it," he added.
